Gamecocks finish season with No. 4 ranking

South Carolina finished a stellar season with another school record – its highest postseason ranking in history.

The Gamecocks checked in at No. 4 in the final Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Top 25 coaches poll released early Tuesday morning. The final vote didn’t drop BCS National Championship Game loser Auburn (No. 2) any spots, but other shakeups in the Top 10 elevated USC four spots to No. 4.

It’s the highest postseason ranking in history for USC, and one of its highest-ever rankings. The Gamecocks were ranked No. 2 in 1984, and No. 3 as recently as the 2012 season.

USC, which was No. 8 before beating Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl, finished No. 8 last year. Another 11-2 season had the Gamecocks remain firmly in the Top 10, and they achieved another milestone.

Texas A&M visits USC on Aug. 28 to open the 2014 college football season.